Business Resources and Support Programs
There are several ways for our local business community to access business support opportunities offered by Perth County and/or local partners. Explore available business resources and support programs below.
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Discover More Adventures - Experiential Tourism Program |
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CLICK HERE to sign up for Perth County's Discover More Adventures program using a simple online form. This program helps Perth County businesses expertly enhance and market their offerings. Participating businesses will receive a product enhancement and marketing package including expert guidance, professional photography/videography, paid advertising, marketing materials, and more. To see examples of experiences this program has supported to date, please click here. Please note, participation in this program is FREE. |
Discover More Flavour Farm Gate Map |
| Do you operate a local farm store or farm gate business? CLICK HERE to register to join Perth County's Discover More Flavour Farm Gate Map program to join a community of local farm operators who receive promotion and marketing investment from Perth County Tourism. |
WARET Employer Toolkit |
| Perth County and investStratford have created a brand new resource toolkit for employers. The Workforce Attraction and Retention Employer Toolkit (WARET) is your one-stop shop for guides, templates, policies, forms and more to help you implement innovative retention and attraction practices that have helped businesses across Canada become employers of choice. CLICK HERE to register and access WARET. |
Local Business Resources |
| Stratford Perth Centre for Business offers business advisory services, training, networking opportunities and assistance with funding applications. Contact for more information: 519-305-5055 or info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca
Perth CFDC (Community Futures Development Corporation) provides business support through customized loan programs. Contact for more information: 519-814-7570 or admin@perthcfdc.ca |
Recruitment Resources |
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This aggregator tool scrapes 25 local, regional, provincial and national job banks every hour and places them in one spot for jobseekers. Employers posting their jobs on popular free job boards including the Government of Canada's Job Bank and Indeed will have their open positions appear on Connect2Jobs.ca Perth County and investStratford have created a resource toolkit for employers. The Workforce Attraction and Retention Employer Toolkit (WARET) is your one-stop shop for guides, templates, policies, forms and more to help you implement innovative retention and attraction practices that have helped businesses across Canada become employers of choice. CLICK HERE to register and access WARET. |
Employment Resources |
| Conestoga Career Centre provides job search assistance, career advice, job postings and education and training information to the public.
Partners in Employment works with job seekers and employers to match talents and skills to employers recruitment needs. Contact Partners in Employment by phone, email, or in office:
Employment Services - Digital Service Delivery Platform Locally-focused employment services for job seekers and employers in Bruce County, Grey County, Huron County, and Perth County.
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Newcomer Settlement Resources |
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For information and links to local resources, click here. |
Local Business Associations |
| North Perth Chamber of Commerce
Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce Listowel Business Improvement Area (BIA) Mitchell Business Improvement Area (BIA) |
| Career Exploration & Teacher Resources |
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Teachers: Engage your students in this important lesson plan exploring careers in manufacturing & agriculture and their impact on local communities. As educators, you play a vital role in inspiring young people to think critically about their future and how their choices can positively shape their communities.
Career Information Cards: |
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Prosper in Perth County Program & Resource Guide |
| Perth County's Economic Development team is dedicated to fostering the growth of local businesses. By understanding the unique challenges and aspirations of business owners, our department offers a wealth of resources and support completely free of charge! Please click HERE to access our handy program and resource guide. |
| TARIFF SUPPORT for Perth County Businesses |
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Canada's robust system of economic support programs is available to help businesses and workers directly impacted by U.S. tariffs. This includes financing and advisory supports for businesses through financial Crown corporations and supports for workers. Some of the supports that are already available include: Trade Commissioner ServiceThe Trade Commissioner Service helps Canadian businesses grow with confidence by connecting them with its funding and support programs, international opportunities, and its network of trade commissioners in over 160 cities worldwide.
Business Development Bank of CanadaBusiness Development Bank of Canada (BDC) provides financing solutions and advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth.
Export Development CanadaExport Development Canada (EDC) helps Canadian companies of all sizes succeed in global markets with trade knowledge, financial solutions, insurance, equity and connections.
Farm Credit CanadaFarm Credit Canada (FCC) is a dedicated lender for the agriculture and agri-food sectors and provides a range of financial products and services to support Canadian farmers and business related to farming.
Canada Small Business Financing ProgramThe Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
Employment and Social Development CanadaThe Work-Sharing Program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs, when there is a temporary decrease in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer.
The government will closely monitor impacts across sectors and the economy, and will bring forward additional measures to support workers and businesses as needed.
The government is also taking steps to mitigate the impact of its tariff countermeasures on Canadian workers and businesses by establishing a remission process to consider requests for exceptional relief from the tariffs imposed as part of Canada's immediate response, as well as any future tariff actions.
Tariff FinderThe Canada Tariff Finder provides up-to-date custom tariff information for countries with which Canada has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It gives the current tariff rate for the specific good being searched as well as for subsequent years, when available. The tool also allows you to compare tariffs between different products or countries to identify your best options. Stratford Perth Tariff TaskforceThe Stratford Perth Tariff Taskforce is a regional initiative that serves as a resource hub and advocacy group, providing businesses and citizens with information on support programs given the trade landscape. Information on the Taskforce is being hosted by investStratford and can be found at investstratford.com/taskforce Take our 'Tariffs & Perth County Business Impact' surveyClick HERE to direct you to the survey. |
Business Benefit Finder |
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If you are unsure about what benefits or programs you are eligible for, the Government of Canada has developed the Business Benefit Finder to assist businesses in finding information specific to their own circumstance. |
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